Steve Jobs’ yacht caught up in payment spat

The sleek white superyacht Apple co-founder Steve Jobs commissioned before his death is stuck in a harbor in Netherlands because of a payment dispute

Jobs collaborated with French product designer Philippe Starck on the 256-foot all-aluminum yacht, called “Venus,” which has a minimalist aesthetic. Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad reported Friday that Starck hired a debt collection agency and got a summary legal order to keep the boat from leaving.

Port of Amsterdam spokesman Jeroen Ranzijn confirmed the boat has been in the harbor since Dec. 8, and won’t leave until the civil dispute is resolved — possibly as early later Friday.

“It was actually ready to continue its voyage when there was a dispute between two parties, including the heirs, and one party laid a claim on the boat,” said Ranzijn.

He said the dispute may be resolved shortly.

According to the paper, Starck had been paid $7.8 million by Job’s heirs, but believed he was owed $11.8 million. The boat cost $138 million.